Redlands 125th Anniversary: Redlands Buick dealer Bill Hatfield's community involvement pays off when General Motors tries to close business

In commemoration of the city of Redlands' 125 th anniversary, the Redlands Daily Facts has teamed up with Cheryl Williams to create video interviews documenting the history of the community.

This is not the first one we filmed, but it's the first we're releasing. It's of Hatfield-McCoy descendent Bill Hatfield, whose grandfather founded Hatfield Automotive, selling Buicks, in Redlands 100 years ago.

The elder Hatfield, Bert, came to Redlands in about 1908 after losing his wife and baby in childbirth. He was an electrician, and opened a buisness that sold Franklin Electric Cars on West State Street in 1909 with a Mr. Pettibone.

In 1913 Pettibone left and Hatfield switched to Buick. The business he started is now the country's oldest Buick dealership. It was where the Redlands Mall now stands.

In 1953 Bill's father, John Hatfield , and uncle Bob Hatfield joined the company after their service in World War II.

In 1962 the Buick showroom moved to its current location on Redlands Boulevard.

Bill's father and uncle took over in 1974, and Bert died in 1976 at the age of 93.

Bill started running the business in 1990.

The Redlands dealership was set to be closed by General Motors in 2009, and the community saved it by writing more than 700 letters of support to Congress and GM over year's span.

"I think it reminded General Motors, and I hope it reminds all big businesses, that people really do do business with people. It's not just the product; it's who you can buy it from, what's that experience, people still like to be able to have a face that they know is back there and cares about them," Hatfield says in the video.

"One of the nicest things about that experience was all the people who I'd met over the years- coming back and saying, 'Hey we're here to help you.'"

Hatfield believes community involvement is a big part of being a business presence in a town like Redlands.

"It's the job of a local business to help support the football teams and the debate teams, whatever," he said. "When you look around at all the sports teams, and the high schools and the middle schools and even Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, it's the small independent businesses that are supporting them."

Bill Hatfield was born and raised here and so was his father, graduates of Redlands High School both. He is one of three people serving on the quasquicentennial committee who was also on the centennial committee -- and he was also around for the 75 th anniversary celebration.

In 2003 he was named Redlands Man of the Year.

"We feel a real commitment to the community. I always joke that I can't get a visa to get out of town, so I'm stuck here," he said. "But I can't think of a better place to live."